Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 01840 (Lawrence, MA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Lawrence, MA (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)198 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 48°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 2 SSW (30 mi), Durham 2 N (34 mi).
4-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 2 SSW (30 mi), Durham 2 N (34 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 01840 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 53°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 28: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 29 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 3 | Nov 9 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 01840
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 28). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 23–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–23 (transplant) Aug 19–Sep 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 22–Aug 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 22–Aug 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 2–16 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 2–16 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 20 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 9–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 16–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 16–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 16–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 16–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 16–23 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 16–23 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Apr 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 2–16 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 16 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Lawrence, MA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00194105), elevation 50 ft, 0.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Muni AP, MA | 2 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Haverhill, MA | 6 mi | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Groveland, MA | 7 mi | May 3 | Oct 8 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 21 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 01840
When is the last frost in 01840?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 01840 is April 13. For a more cautious planting date, use April 29, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 01840?
The average first fall freeze is October 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 13.
What hardiness zone is 01840?
ZIP 01840 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 01840 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
01841 Lawrence 01843 Lawrence 01844 Methuen Town 01810 Andover 01845 01835 Haverhill 01832 Haverhill 03079
Other ZIP codes in Essex County
01810 01830 01832 01833 01834 01835 01841 01843 01844 01845 01860 01901 01902 01904 01905 01906 01907 01908 01913 01915 01921 01922 01923 01929 All Essex County frost dates · Massachusetts frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.